History, analysis, and unabashed gossip about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts.

J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

This fire [from H.M.S. Somerset] was for some time without effect, but the men venturing in front of the works, one of them was killed by a cannon shot. A subaltern informed Col. Prescott, and inquired of him what should be done. “Bury him,” he was told.—

“What,” said the astonished officer, “without prayers!” A chaplain, who was present, insisted on performing service over this first victim, and collected many of the soldiers around him, heedless of peril.

Prescott ordered them to disperse; but religious enthusiasm prevailing, the chaplain again collected his congregation, when the deceased was ordered to be taken and buried in the ditch. At this time a number of the men went off and never returned.

Swett later published this essay as a standalone book, and in that edition he named his source:

We did so [printed the anecdote] on the authority of Col. Prescott himself, and one of his Capts. as reported to us by Hon. Wm. Prescott, of Boston, the only son of Col. Prescott, and who has ever worthily supported the honour of his name.

So both versions of the story come ultimately from Col. Prescott. They apparently reached print through different routes, with slightly different details. I think in the end they basically confirm each other.

3 comments:

First of all, if I were out in the hot sun, digging a redoubt while cannon balls and shot fell around me, I might not dig another hole, even if I liked the guy. I might take advantage of the earth already being moved and bury him that way.

As for whether a headless corpse would still be there, we know that the British army buried bodies on the field shortly after the battle, and that the locals dug up bodies after the siege ended. So this body could have been moved at either of those times.

We also know that Charlestown is one of most densely developed parts of Boston, with only the top of Breed’s hill preserved—as long as we don’t count the foundation for a very tall stone obelisk. So that construction could have disturbed the body.

Finally, we know the first impromptu burial involved no coffin, much less embalming. So even if the corpse was never disturbed, I doubt it’s in the sod. I think it is the sod.